Just-in-Time Admin Access for macOS: Grant Time-Based Admin Privileges

Organizations face unprecedented security risks—over half of cloud-based applications in use are unsanctioned, leaving sensitive data vulnerable. As users increasingly bypass IT protocols for their work-related daily tasks, the Just-in-Time (JIT) Admin feature has overturned the tables. Providing temporary elevated permissions exactly when needed, effectively mitigates the risks associated with shadow IT. With striking statistics underscoring the critical nature of this issue, it’s clear that adopting JIT is not just beneficial but essential for securing your organization’s future.

To understand the scale of this problem, consider the following statistics that highlight the pervasive impact of shadow IT on organizations today.

Did you know^[1]

• Nearly 270–364 SaaS applications are used daily in an average enterprise.
• Of them, 52% of SaaS applications in enterprises are unsanctioned.
• Approx. 50% of cyberattacks stem from shadow IT, costing an average of $4.2 million to fix.
• 30%–40% of IT spending in large enterprises goes to shadow IT.
• 16% of IT departments spend 20+ hours a week resolving end-user requests.

To effectively manage these challenges, especially in environments using macOS devices, the Just-in-Time Admin Access feature is essential. It necessarily controls risk mitigation associated with shadow IT, ensuring that users have access to the resources they need without compromising security.

macOS Just-in-Time Admin Access 

The Just-in-Time (JIT) Admin feature for macOS devices is a powerful tool designed to enhance security and streamline administrative processes. As organizations increasingly seek sophisticated access management solutions, JIT Admin stands out by providing temporary elevated permissions only when necessary, allowing for a more controlled and secure environment. This functionality ensures that access to privileged accounts and sensitive resources is granted only when necessary, reducing the risk of unauthorized changes or security breaches.

Organizations can enforce strict access controls while still enabling users to perform essential tasks that require elevated permissions, such as installing software or configuring settings. It minimizes the potential for misuse while also simplifying compliance with security policies and audits. 

By providing users with just-in-time access, organizations can balance operational efficiency with robust security measures, ultimately protecting their macOS environments from the perils of shadow IT and excessive privilege misuse.

Also read: Just-in-time access for Windows

Key Features of Just-in-Time Admin Access for macOS Devices 

1. JIT Admin configuration 

a. Duration of admin privilege

IT admins can specify the duration (in minutes) during which the user will have admin privileges. The account will be automatically reverted to a standard user once the specified duration ends. Admins can elevate the access from 5 minutes to 1 hour for more flexibility. 

b. Allowed number of requests per Day

Administrators can configure the number of requests the user is allowed to make per day to gain admin privileges. Similarly, IT admins can configure the number of requests the user can make per day for accessing any app with admin privileges. IT teams can set the number of requests for a macOS and Windows user between 1 to 10 requests per day.  

c. Enforce request justification text

Administrators establish accountability by requiring macOS users to justify privilege requests for assigning JIT Admin. 

d. Enforce active internet connection

If this setting is enabled, a macOS user must have an active internet connection to access any application in admin mode. Alternatively, a macOS device user must have an active internet connection to request admin privileges. 

e. Configure Disclaimer Note

IT admins include a disclaimer note for both Windows and macOS device users, displayed on the JIT Admin screen, to inform them when the set duration for admin privileges expires.

2. Log and Activities 

The log and activities section enables IT admins to configure if logs of critical operations performed with admin privileges should be captured and synced to the dashboard. It further lets them configure the applications that need to be terminated when an admin user is downgraded to a standard user. 

Also read: Just-in-Time Access Control

3. JIT Admin Access Summary

The JIT Admin Access Summary provides IT admins with the following details:

a. Device Summary

The device summary provides a comprehensive overview of devices with Just-In-Time (JIT) Admin configuration applied. It includes the total number of such devices, the count of standard users on these devices, and the number of admin users. This summary provides clear visibility into user distribution and administrative access across the configured devices.

b. Request Summary

The request summary provides an overview of the number of admin requests made in a single day, as well as the total number of admin requests made over the past 60 days.

c. Device Overview

The device overview section displays a complete table that includes the following information for devices with JIT Admin configuration: device names, serial numbers, the number of requests received for that day, total admin requests, and the name of the applied configuration.

4. Activity Logs

Activity logs enable admins to track user activities during their elevation from standard to admin user. These logs include essential details such as the device name, serial number, and the name of the user requesting Just-In-Time Admin access.

The logs also capture information about the start and end time of the JIT admin activity (indicating when the user was elevated to admin and when they were resumed to their original access viz. standard user), as well as the justification text provided by the user when requesting JIT admin access.

5. Recommendations 

The recommendations section offers a summarized view of the admin accounts available on the devices. It includes the names and serial numbers of JIT-configured devices, the total number of users and admins on each device, the number of managed admins (Global admins), and the name of the JIT Admin configuration applied. It also allows IT admins to select admin users who they want to downgrade as standard users. 

Streamline Just-in-Time Privileged Access Management with Scalefusion OneIdP

Scalefusion OneIdP provides organizations with comprehensive identity and access management capabilities, optimizing full control over user privilege elevation. It offers time-based admin access, preventing users from retaining extended admin privileges, thereby securing data and maintaining system integrity.

Contact our experts to learn more about Just-In-Time Admin Access for macOS. Schedule a personalized demo today. 

References

1. Auvik